You Cannot Pour
From An Empty Cup
Raising a child on the autism spectrum can be isolating. Parents and caregivers deal with higher levels of stress that affects their health, professional and personal relationships. Autism can take its toll on a family. The only people that truly understand what its like to care for a person with autism are other parents. Which is what makes support groups like AUsome Moms so important.
Read below from some of our members the positive impact AUsome Moms has had on their journey.
I will be forever grateful for everything y'all have helped me get through and I'm sure much more in the future. I want this group to know that you have all been my spine when I needed to fight, my ear when I needed to vent, your heartfelt words when I needed to get back up. You gave me strength and I can never thank you enough. When I see any of y'all face to face... It feels like a strange sister bond and I'm comfortable. So thank you so very much. Love you ladies.
-Christina H.
This is going to sound crazy for what I am about to write, get ready. I have a stronger bond with several people I have never met. Read the last sentence again. Yep, you read this correctly. I know this is weird, but it’s true. When we started our journey with autism, I could not get my hands on enough resources, guides, people, support groups, forums, articles or anything. I tried to finds local support groups specifically for autism in my community and there was no such groups unless it was a broader support group for all special needs. I needed just autism. I needed support from parents who were in the same boat as we were and preferably in the same area. Why was it so difficult to find parents of 2 - 4 year old children with an early diagnosis to bounce ideas, therapies, insurance questions, etc. with? As the weeks went on, I started finding some resources. I started filtering through what was helpful and positive and found an amazing discussion group called AUsome Moms. This group of Moms make you feel comfortable to ask any type questions ( and I mean any type) and receive suggestions from real moms who have experienced it and not therapists and doctors. Dads are not even allowed! After observing the page for a few weeks or should I say stalking, I got the courage to ask my first question and BOOM! 10 plus responses from Moms who either experienced and were able to offer suggestions! Over 1,400 Moms to date to be exact! Two plus years has passed now and this group has been my #1 resource and an incredible part of my everyday life. I help others, I celebrate successes that some people cannot relate with or have an understanding why we are celebrating and I seek advice for what new challenges we might be facing. This is my Community, My Village, My Tribe, My AUsome Moms, My 1,400 plus friends.
-Shelley S.
Finding AUsome Mom's has made my autism journey not feel so lonely. Meeting other moms going through the same things and then having these moms to bounce my frustrations, questions, and joys off of has been incredible. I have made so many more friends through AUsome Moms!!! Praise God for Kelly and her amazing idea to start this group of support. Even though the group is NOT geared towards biomedical, when I have questions I know that the moms are going to come forth and give me the direction I need even if they don't have the answers. They can usually point me in the direction of someone who does. It takes a village, and a lot of understanding and compassion to raise our kiddos. I don't know what I would do without my village that I call AUsome Mom's.
-Desiree C.
I moved to the area earlier this year. I moved from a smaller town where I felt I was the only mom with an AUsome kiddo. I felt so alone and there were things I wouldn't even share with my family because they wouldn't understand. Having found this group has been such a blessing. I laugh, cry and rejoice with many of the things shared with the group and most importantly I can relate to it. I feel like a finally found a voice and a listening ear.
-Veronica D.
Our journey started when our son was diagnosed at 2.5 years old. I hit the ground running the day he was diagnosed and haven’t stopped since. But I felt like I was trying to drink from a fire hydrant. So when I saw information about the AUsome Moms Facebook page in Thrive Magazine, I was excited. Here is a local group of other mom’s who have been where I am. The moms in this group are incredible ladies. Everyone is so willing to share their experiences, the good and the bad, to help other moms. We all come from different beliefs and backgrounds, but we all share a unique bond. We celebrate each other’s triumphs and pick each other up when we’re are having a rough day. It is a safe place for mom’s who get it and I am incredibly lucky to be part of this sisterhood.
-Vanessa A.
AUsome Moms had my back even though I was just a stranger. No one was going to come to my sons 4th birthday party. I was heartbroken for him. I was blown away by the love and support these ladies showed my family. Several moms came to my sons party, a few even drove more than an hour to make it special for my son. Those who couldn't make it sent him birthday cards in the mail. I'm truly blessed to have such an amazing support group.
-Jessica B.
Living in another country where you miss your family, friends and relatives is hard, but it is even harder being alone and living with autism. I really love being part of this group of AUsome Moms! They have made my life easier in many ways, just knowing there are moms that feel what I feel , that love the way I love, that understand what others don't is a huge help. Every single mom on this group is inspiring! Thank you for being there.
-Cathy S.
I just wanted to give a huge thank you to this group! Without you I never would of found out about the HHSC/DARS grant to get ABA for my little guy. Because of you my Cian will be getting 6 hours of ABA each week for the next 6 months. Thank you again
-Jodie L.